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2016 Tribeca Film Festival Audience Award Winners

HERE ALONE Director Rod Blackhurst Director won for narrative and THE RETURNED Directors Kelly Duane de la Vega and Katie Galloway won for documentary. Each award came with a cash prize of $10,000.

Additionally as part of the Tribeca Film Festival Artists Awards program, Here Alone received Zak Kitnick’s Untitled (acrylic, ink and phosphorescent pigment on paper) and The Return received Clifford Ross’s Horizon XI (silver-Gelatin print.)

“It’s great to see audiences finding and supporting a true discovery film like Here Alone and the powerful and affecting documentary The Return. While very different films, both highlight the resilience of the human spirit,” said Genna Terranova, Festival Director, Tribeca Film Festival.

Runners-up were CHILDREN OF THE MOUNTAIN directed by Priscilla Anany for the narrative audience award and MIDSUMMER IN NEWTON, directed by Lloyd Kramer, for the documentary audience award. Throughout the Festival, which kicked off on April 13, audience members voted by using their mobile devices and going to tribecafilm.com/vote and rating the film they just experienced on a scale of 1-5 stars.

Films in the U.S. Narrative Competition, International Narrative Competition, World Documentary Competition, Viewpoints, Spotlight, and Midnight sections were eligible.

Audience award winners and runners-up will screen today, Sunday, April 24, at Regal Battery Park Stadium 11, along with the winners selected by the TFF Jury.

· Here Alone at 12:45pm and 6:45pm
· The Return at 3:45pm and 9:45pm
· Children of the Mountain at 3:15pm
· Midsummer in Newtown at 1:30pm

ABOUT THE AUDIENCE AWARD WINNING FILMS AND RUNNERS-UP

HERE ALONE, directed by Rod Blackhurst, written by David Ebeltoft. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. A virus has ravaged human civilization, leaving two groups of survivors: those who have managed to avoid infection, and those driven to madness, violence, and an insatiable bloodlust. Living deep in the woods, Ann, Chris, and Olivia are forced to fend off the infected while foraging for supplies. But when a supply expedition goes terribly awry, one among their number must make a terrible choice. With Lucy Walters, Gina Piersanti, Adam David Thompson, and Shane West.

This film played in the Midnight section

THE RETURN, directed by Kelly Duane de la Vega and Katie Galloway, written by Kelly Duane de la Vega, Katie Galloway, and Greg O’Toole. (USA) – World Premiere. How does one reintegrate into society after making peace with a life sentence? California’s controversial and notoriously harsh three-strikes law was repealed in 2012, consequently releasing large numbers of convicts back into society. The Return presents an unbiased observation of the many issues with re-entry through the varied experiences of recently freed lifers.

· This film played in the World Documentary section

RUNNERS UP

MIDSUMMER IN NEWTON, directed by Lloyd Kramer. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary. Midsummer in Newtown is a testament to the transformative force of artistic expression to pierce through the shadow cast down by trauma. From auditions to opening night, we witness the children of Sandy Hook Elementary find their voice, build their self-confidence, and ultimately shine in a rock-pop version of A Midsummer’s Night Dream.

· This film played in the Spotlight section

CHILDREN OF THE MOUNTAIN, directed and written by Priscilla Anany. (USA, Ghana) – World Premiere, Narrative. When a young woman gives birth to a deformed and sickly child, she becomes the victim of cruelty and superstition in her Ghanaian community. Discarded by her lover, she is convinced she suffers from a ‘dirty womb,’ and embarks on a journey to heal her son and create a future for them both. With Rukiyat Masud, Grace Omaboe, Akofa Edjeani, Adjetey Annang, Agbeko Mortty (Bex), Dzifa Glikpo, Mynna Otoo. In Twi with subtitles.

About the Tribeca Film Festival
The Tribeca Film Festival, now in its 15th year, brings together visionaries across industries and diverse audiences to celebrate the power of storytelling. A platform for independent filmmaking, creative expression and immersive entertainment, Tribeca supports emerging and established voices, discovers award-winning filmmakers, curates innovative and interactive experiences, and introduces new technology and ideas through panels, premieres, exhibitions, and live performance.

Founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff in 2001, following the attacks on the World Trade Center, Tribeca has evolved from an annual event to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of lower Manhattan to a gathering place for filmmakers, artists, innovators, and the global creative community. Through programs that embrace storytelling in all of its expansive forms – from film and music to video games and online work, TFF reimagines the cinematic experience and explores how art can unite communities.

About the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival Sponsors
As Presenting Sponsor of the Tribeca Film Festival, AT&T is committed to supporting the Festival and the art of filmmaking through access and innovation – aiming to make this the most interactive film and storytelling festival in the country, where visitors experience the Festival in ways they never imagined. As one of the largest communications and entertainment companies, AT&T helps millions connect with entertainment, mobile, high speed Internet and voice services – virtually everywhere.